Delighted to get up before the crack of dawn to join my Fellow Lady Masters and Prime Wardens in the Guildhall for the City of London Corporation’s networking Breakfast Reception and Panel Discussion to mark International Women’s Day 2023. 

Hosted by Christopher Hayward, Chairman of Policy and Resources City of London Corporation and attended by the Lady Mayoress, both Sheriffs and their Consorts, the discussion focussed on embracing equity, not only to achieve gender equality, but to recognise that each person has different circumstances and needs differing opportunities to achieve their full potential.

Prime Warden Saddlers, Master Leatherseller, Lady Mayoress, Prime Warden Basketmakers, Alderman Alison Gowman, Master Engineer, Master Tin Plate Worker alias Wire Worker

The distinguished Panel, chaired by Alderman Alison Gowman, comprised:

  • Annamarie Phelps, CBE, British Olympian in  rowing and Co-chair of the Global Executive, International Working Group on Women and Sport, the largest global network for the advancement of gender equality in sport’
  • Laura Winningham OBE, Co-founder of City Harvest, a charitable organisation focussing on alleviating food insecurity and food waste and feeding over 12,000 Londoners a day’ and,
  • Nadia Minors, non-executive director of Progress Together which focusses on creation of a UK financial services sector in which everyone working in it, from all socio-economic backgrounds, is both enabled and has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
The Panel

A stimulating morning evidencing how the City is committed to embracing the skills of those in London, regardless of race, gender or socio-economic background.

Audrey Canning, Master Engineer